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 same with the American beds, and in fact we may estimate nine millions as the whole value of the pearl fisheries.”

“But are there not some celebrated pearls which command a very high price?”

“Yes, my lad. They say Cæsar offered Servillia a pearl estimated at 120,000 francs of our money.”

“I have even heard it stated that some woman of antiquity used to drink pearls dissolved in vinegar,” said Ned.

“Cleopatra,” replied Conseil.

“That must have been very unpleasant,” added Ned.

“Detestable, friend Ned; and a little glass of vinegar that cost 1,500,000 francs was dear!”

“I am sorry I didn’t marry that woman,” said the Canadian, raising his arm in a menacing manner.

“Ned Land Cleopatra’s husband!” exclaimed Conseil.

“But I ought to marry, Conseil, and it is not my fault that the business has not come off. I have even purchased a necklace of pearls for Kate Tender, my fiancée, who, mean-while, married somebody else; the necklace cost only a dollar and a half, and yet, if Monsieur will believe me, the pearls would not have passed through the biggest sieve.”

“My good Ned,” I said, laughing, “they were artificial pearls, simple glass drops filled with essence of orient.”

“Is that expensive?” asked the Canadian.

“Not at all. It is only the silvery substance of the scales of the bleak collected in the water and preserved in ammonia. It has no value.”

“Perhaps that is the reason why Kate married the other fellow,” said Ned, philosophically.

“But,” said I, “to return to our high-priced pearls. I do not believe any sovereign ever possessed any so valuable as those Captain Nemo has.”